Nitromater
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Warren speaks " Indy .. No big deal anymore "
- Thread starter SAS
- Start date
its true. I remember a time when the field size was doubled. the payout more. the hype more. Racers from all 7 divisions would make the tow. Now its just the same 12 or so fuel cars with struggling part time fillers rounding out the field. used to be enough pro stocks entered to make a 32 car field possible with 16 alternates. And when you won you were "national champion". Now what used to be called world champions are called national champions. as far as i can tell having never been there. from a distance Its become almost just another long weekend and has lost its luster.
CS
Nitro Member
I can remember the days when Indy was a happening when the only two things that mattered at years end was who won Indy and who won the championship.
Walking around the pits today the racers seem to treat it as just another race!
The fans if you could call some of them that don't have a clue. Permit me to explain while sitting in the stands today I heard a so called expert tell his posse that prostocks were funny cars another member in his posse wanted to know why fuel cars were so loud and a third wanted to know who the hell that big garlits guy was and then commented he's just an old man!
Those of us in the area tried to help them only to be told they didn't care they didn't need no help they were there for the sounds!
Yep those at Wally World sure have taken drag racing to the next level - driven away sponsors, racers and fans. I guess they expect empty stands to draw future marketing partners/sponsors?
Walking around the pits today the racers seem to treat it as just another race!
The fans if you could call some of them that don't have a clue. Permit me to explain while sitting in the stands today I heard a so called expert tell his posse that prostocks were funny cars another member in his posse wanted to know why fuel cars were so loud and a third wanted to know who the hell that big garlits guy was and then commented he's just an old man!
Those of us in the area tried to help them only to be told they didn't care they didn't need no help they were there for the sounds!
Yep those at Wally World sure have taken drag racing to the next level - driven away sponsors, racers and fans. I guess they expect empty stands to draw future marketing partners/sponsors?
hotrod
Nitro Member
Bad mouths NHRA, but doesn't switch to IHRA. HMMMMM.
NHRA has made that man a lot of money over the years, or if not a lot of money at least a career that he's obviously enjoyed for a long time.
Who am I kidding. I started hating NHRA when they took the t-shirt sales away from the drivers back in the 70's. Greedy bast........
NHRA has made that man a lot of money over the years, or if not a lot of money at least a career that he's obviously enjoyed for a long time.
Who am I kidding. I started hating NHRA when they took the t-shirt sales away from the drivers back in the 70's. Greedy bast........
Larry
Nitro Member
Well when you are not in it sure ain't much !
Could it be different/ better ?
Ask the missing ones who said F I no Shoot out and No Heads Up Mopar race.
I doubt it's NHRA 's fault the economy went South and even old time sponsors are calling it quits.
NHRA should be making plans to try to hang on to Pro Racing and cut cost for independents.
Big contingency money will be next then what ?
Could it be different/ better ?
Ask the missing ones who said F I no Shoot out and No Heads Up Mopar race.
I doubt it's NHRA 's fault the economy went South and even old time sponsors are calling it quits.
NHRA should be making plans to try to hang on to Pro Racing and cut cost for independents.
Big contingency money will be next then what ?
Meeks
Nitro Member
I think he was spot on in his comments...The only thing they seemed to care about was him not making it into the top 10 and the only reason they cared about not qualifying at the "Big Go" was because then the top 10 drama is over for him. In my opinion, NHRA is lucky there are so many team owners, racers, crewmembers, and fans that are dedicated to this sport or else they'd be out of business- I know that in my area I don't have IHRA or ADRL events to attend or else I probably would, NHRA's crap is getting real old.
rocketman
Nitro Member
A couple of years ago I worked for a top fuel team that went to Indy. I didn't get out of the pit much since I was there working. We drove in the back way that was bordered by fields and some large fuel tanks. And the pits didn't seem that crowded. I remember thinking "so this is Indy? What's the fuss all about"? Well that Friday evening was our first pass. We came around the corner in the staging lanes and the stands were packed and there was a feeling in the air I had never felt before. I then thought to myself "OK now I know what the fuss is".
BF
Nitro Member
I've been there 7 or 8 times and it always astounded me that the crowds on Saturday and Sunday dwarfed the crowd on raceday (Monday). It doesn't look great on TV when your biggest event of the year has one side of the stands at 2/3 capacity. Seems to me they should run eliminations on Sunday, especially now that the FC Shootout is gone and the NFL doesn't kick off until the next week. It would leave Monday as a "rain date" or a travel day for fans to get home.
I can't disagree with any of the above. Indy used to be IT. Pomona started and finished the season, but everybody was at Indy.
While the guys you sat by may not know the difference between a small block ford and a hemi, they did pay for a seat, and probably blew some cash at the concession stands and shirt shacks. Don't discount their dollar because they don't know the difference between PS and AA/FC. There just might be a long time fan that was bitten by the bug today in that group.
WJ was winning IHRA championships before 1/2 of todays PS racers ever sat in a race car.
Jim
Nitro Member
Warren was disgusted that the family just DQ'd at the biggest race (and TV deal) of the year. He should have just taken the blame for being lost and left it at that. Instead he has to piss-in-the-soup and say NHRA has killed the sport. (HELLO -the Fortune 500 is still "hunkered-down" and minimizing spending on anything other than neccessities. Low risk is in - Long shots are out.) Even if it was true, he should have excercised some discipline on his ego. Just idiotic - even toxic.Sheesh, he's already had to scramble around for another sponsor this year; I wouldn't want to be promoting my deal the same time a (generally) media savvy guy like the Snake is knocking on the same doors.
Maybe Warren will have a future building engines for other people.....
merc49
Nitro Member
I'll say this: Yes, Warren can be a pain in the ass, and likewise NHRA. But all that aside, I'd rather be in Indy today than anywhere else in the universe. If I'm alive next year I'll be there. And I plan on being alive! Maybe I can meet up with WJ and we can have a Coke together.
Bob
Bob
90-percent
Nitro Member
One comment - never denigrate newbies for their lack of knowledge. It's rude on a human level and none of us were born with this knowledge. Be polite and help them grow their knowledge and gain a deeper appreciation of the sport you like so much.
After finally getting the drive to go the track and all that that would entail the first time, (hours in car lines, parking a mile away, baking in the sun, massive crowds, long distances to walk, expensive track food, restroom lines, sunburn, dehydration, etc.) the last thing you want after all that effort of attending a national event is to be embarrassed in front of your friends by an intolerant cognoscenti.
Some empathy for new fans is suggested. You might tip the balance in favor of them coming back!
-90% jimmy
After finally getting the drive to go the track and all that that would entail the first time, (hours in car lines, parking a mile away, baking in the sun, massive crowds, long distances to walk, expensive track food, restroom lines, sunburn, dehydration, etc.) the last thing you want after all that effort of attending a national event is to be embarrassed in front of your friends by an intolerant cognoscenti.
Some empathy for new fans is suggested. You might tip the balance in favor of them coming back!
-90% jimmy
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FC138fan
Nitro Member
I just lost my respect for Warren. How would you like to be K&N, paying a person who says on national TV (at the biggest event of the year no less) that the sport you are trying to advertise on is a joke?
ESPN, Paul, and Mike all do their job in promoting the US Nationals as the biggest event of the year, so if you didnt know any better, you would think if you were going to watch one race of the year on TV, the US Nationals would be it.
Hey Warren, maybe you should have bowed out with class and at the top of your game with the "School's Out Tour" of several years ago instead of coming back and looking like a damn fool at the biggest event of the year. Show come class and be thankful for the years of racing that the NHRA has given you, and the memories and entertainment that you have provided for people.
Quit now so that in 10 years from now people will remember the old warren, and save yourself from making more comments that might tarnish your legendary status.
